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After the laying on of hands by Cardinal Schönborn and 28 other bishops, Josef Grünwidl officially assumed leadership of the Archdiocese of Vienna at 3:38 p.m. In his homily, Schönborn wished his successor “a listening, wise, and understanding heart.” Grünwidl emphasized that the Church must make “the melody of the Gospel resound.”
“For you I am a bishop; with you I am a Christian”
With these words—echoing St. Augustine—and with gratitude to many, Grünwidl addressed the faithful for the first time as Archbishop of Vienna at the conclusion of the ordination liturgy in St. Stephen’s Cathedral. He noted that he was becoming archbishop in turbulent times, as a familiar form of the Church is changing dramatically. Yet the Church, he said, is more than its visible shape, which has changed repeatedly throughout history.
The Church does not define itself by statistics or structures, nor by its personnel, “who very often accomplish great things, but unfortunately also sometimes fail sadly.” The Church, he said, “is more, and it is better than its reputation.” Referring to his episcopal motto, he described the Church as “an instrument of God in the world, the lyre in the hands of the risen Christ.” As God’s instrument, the Church should make the melody of the Gospel heard: “What do we—and especially young people—need more urgently than God’s song of love and peace, His protest song against indifference and hatred, against poverty, injustice, and war, His Easter song of hope that gives courage, confidence, and inspires action?”
His task as archbishop, he said, is “to make God’s melody, the score of the Gospel, resound in my own life and in the lives of many others.” Each person is an essential tone, “and together we bring forth God’s melody—His love song, His protest song, and His Easter song of hope.”
Thanks to Participants and to the Pope
Grünwidl expressed joy at the presence of so many representatives of the ecumenical community and other faith traditions. To them he said: “I gladly walk with you on the path of ecumenical curiosity and willingness to learn, and I gladly contribute to interreligious dialogue, in deep gratitude for our good cooperation.”
He also noted the presence of the Federal President and many representatives of politics and public life, which he saw “as an expression of appreciation for the significance of the Catholic Church in our country and as a sign of connectedness.”
Grünwidl thanked Pope Leo for appointing him, and especially Cardinal Schönborn, to whom he said: “You have always encouraged me and have been a good friend for more than 30 years, a model in your Christian life, and as a bishop a guide for my new office as your successor.”
Warm Welcome from Ecumenical and Political Leaders
After Communion, Archbishop Grünwidl took mitre and crozier and walked through the cathedral to bless the faithful. He briefly exchanged words with Federal President Van der Bellen. Afterwards, bishops and representatives of various Christian churches bestowed their blessing on the new archbishop. Earlier, during the sign of peace, Grünwidl had personally greeted all ecumenical representatives.
At the end of the liturgy, Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig and Lower Austria’s governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner offered words of greeting. Mikl-Leitner praised Grünwidl as “a person who listens, accompanies, comforts, and gives orientation.” The native of Lower Austria, she said, is “deeply rooted in the parishes and communities of our region” and knows “the people—their worries, their hopes, their joys.” For Grünwidl, the office is “not a function but a service: a service to people, to the Church, and to your homeland.”
Lower Austria stands by its Christian roots, she emphasized: “For us, the Christian faith is not folklore or a relic of the past, but our compass and our guiding principle.” In times of crisis, society needs “pastoral workers, people with an open ear and a clear word.”
She also thanked Cardinal Schönborn for his years of service: “Thank you for your example in faith, for your humanity, your spiritual depth, and for the bridges you have built—far beyond our country.”
“A man of God and a friend of people”
Mayor Ludwig expressed confidence that Grünwidl would continue and further develop the significant legacy of Cardinal Schönborn with genuine leadership. He described Grünwidl as a wise, thoughtful, and open-minded pastor. Ludwig called him “a man of God and a friend of people in one person” and recalled Grünwidl’s New Year’s message about a “great vision of togetherness.” As mayor of the “city of togetherness,” where cooperation among religious communities is strong, he warmly welcomed Grünwidl as the new Archbishop of Vienna.
Ludwig also thanked Cardinal Schönborn, noting that he regularly took clear and impactful positions on both social and internal Church issues—“never superficially rebellious, but always clear and consequential.”
3,000 Faithful in Attendance
Around 3,000 people participated in the celebration at St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Among them were many full-time and volunteer workers of the archdiocese, as well as Grünwidl’s family and longtime companions. About 600 clergy members were present. A total of 150 young people from more than 30 parishes served as altar servers, including from Perchtoldsdorf and Kirchberg am Wechsel, Grünwidl’s former places of ministry. The choir alone consisted of 120 singers. Under the direction of cathedral music director Markus Landerer, the musical ensembles included the Vienna Cathedral Choir, the Capella St. Stephan, the Vokalensemble St. Stephan, the Choralschola St. Stephan, the children’s choir of the cathedral music school, the Vienna Cathedral Brass, and a band.
- Hector Pascua/picture: kathpress.at
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